Other numerous exhibits were held in the Omotesando, Aoyama and Gaienmae areas, the main site of DESIGNART TOKYO. On the 4th floor of GYRE, a commercial complex in Omotesando, Nomura Co.,Ltd., which produces spaces extensively, unveiled “Being — What if furniture had a life of its own?” that reconsidered the relationship between people and objects. How would we interact with furniture if it were transformed from simply ‘being’ to ‘having life’? Through a series of experimental designs, the show challenged society about reshaping values between people and elements around them.

Nomura Co.,Ltd. “Being – What if furniture had a life of its own?” (GYRE) © Nacása & Partners

HAY TOKYO in the basement floor of the same building introduced a special exhibition “Unprecise” with the theme of “ambiguous imprecision.” Graphic designer and art director Mina Tabei was invited to create fluid graphics under the subject of “unfinished” by layering multiple images that have not yet been finalized as a design. Architect and museum designer Takashi Nakahara served as spatial advisor. “ICONS by CIBONE” in the same facility highlighted eight designers associated with CIBONE, including Piet Hein Eek, Kasper Kyster, NM3, Vaarnii and Teun Zwets, together with their “ICONS” chairs and stools.

Unprecise (HAY TOKYO)

Renoveru, a renovation company in Minami Aoyama,presented “Things with dialogue” at b1. by the Nomadic Collective group of product designers — Takumi Fukushima, Itaru Shinagawa, Shohei Kasamatsu and Ryoma Maeda — who design for companies. The basement office of Renoveru focuses on design and manufacturing. The collective’s works strived to initiate a dialogue in daily life and instigate designs that can be treasured perennially. They resonated with Renoveru’s motto of “creating products that are loved over time” and “the richness of long-lasting, cherished use.”

Nomadic Collective “Things with dialogue” (Renoveru b1.) © KOHEI YAMAMOTO

The “Antique Upcycle Project” opened at ALLU Omotesando. It was produced by Valuence Japan Inc., which engages in the reuse business of various commercial materials, such as brands, precious metals, and antiques. Art students and artists utilized discarded or waste components for their works. The objective was to revise antique commercial materials, which are usually sold and consumed at low prices at the company’s own auctions, into an alternative value by “upcycling” them. In this way, inexpensive objects could be reformed into one-of-a-kind works of art through “bricolage”.